Talga Reveals Breakthrough in Producing Concrete that Conducts Electricity for EVs

Talga Resources has announced a breakthrough in its work to produce concrete that conducts electricity. According to the company, such achievement could even play a role in wireless, on-road charging of electric vehicles in the future. Talga also announced it has achieved high levels of electrical conductivity in concrete by using an additive created in its R&D laboratory based in the United Kingdom.
An article on RenewEconomy website stated that the additive is a graphene, a graphite and silica-rich-by-product of ore processing, derived from a series of unique, high-grade conductive graphite deposits in Sweden.
Mark Thompson, Managing Director at Talga, said, “The initial test results show that Talga’s graphene-enhanced concrete achieves such high electrical conductivity that it can act like the heating element of an electric stove.”
“Furthermore, the conductivity is achieved with a very low loading of our graphene, but a larger amount of ore processing by-products, providing maximum potential for the most cost-effective, scalable and eco-friendly development options,” Thompson added. The technology, according to Talga, will have the potential to be utilized in solid-state heated roads, to provide an environmentally-friendly approach to clear ice and snow from key transport routes and airports.
The company stated, “The replacement of widely-used salt; as a material cost, its transport and distribution, and its corrosive effect on road/bridge infrastructure and vehicles would be an emergent but high potential application for heatable concrete.” The technology also has a potential role in dynamic and wireless charging of electric vehicles while driving.
In a statement, the company revealed, “In future, Talga will investigate the potential of the electrically conductive concrete for a cost-effective role in enabling inductive (wireless) charging technologies for electric vehicles under dynamic (driving) as well as stationary (parking) conditions, through the increased range of heating, sensing, and other conductive concrete.”
Tests of the company’s graphite anode had been proven to significantly improve the performance of lithium-ion battery cells. Read the full report here. Phillip Riley is a renewable energy executive recruitment firm based in Melbourne, Australia and with offices in the United States and the Philippines.